INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SOILS

How many of my readers have heard of the International Year of Soils? The year will be ending in 28 days. Why an International Year of Soils? Without soil much of the world would be starving. Yes, we can grow plants in water, but not enough to feed the world. Most plants get their food, water, and support from soil. Most food is grown in soil. Trees grow in soil. Think about where we would be without soil. What would we do for protein? We can get protein from plants in correct form and combination, but most protein comes from animals . . . that live on plants. What would we do for shelter? Trees grow in and on soil, so without soil there would be little wood for construction. What would we do for heat and energy? Coal, oil and gas all originate through plant growth. Wind and Solar energy you say? How would you build the equipment to collect the wind and solar energy? Regardless whether the equipment is made of metal, glass, plastic, or something else, energy is required for production, and that energy originates in plants and, ultimately, the soil. That is the reason for an International Year of Soils!

Each month of 2015 had a theme addressing one aspect of our dependence on soil. Here are the monthly themes and a website where you can access related information. I encourage you to explore these websites if you have not already done so.


January - Soils Sustain Life

 February - Soils Support Urban Life


 March - Soils Support Agriculture

April - Soils Clean and Capture Water

May - Soils Support Buildings/Infrastructure

June - Soils Support Recreation

July - Soils are Living

August - Soils Support Health

September - Soils Protect the Natural Environment

 October - Soils and the Products We Use

 November - Soils and Climate

December - Soils, Culture, and People